Flippin' the Hustle by Trae Macklin Page A

car.
    â€œI said put your fucking hands where I can see ‘em!” Derrick repeated.
    Slowly, one of the man’s wrist appeared out of the window, and then the other.
    Derrick slapped both cuffs around his wrists.
    â€œHey! What the fuck? I—” Taz protested, before he was abruptly silenced by the humongous barrel of the P-90 being shoved in his face.
    â€œJust shut the fuck up!” Derrick spat, opening the car’s door.
    Taz instantly complied. Derrick snatched him from the car and searched him. The very next thing Taz felt was a cranium-shattering thud that suddenly dropped him to the pavement.
    Eyeing the spectacle from the car, RJ smiled jovially. He knew at that moment Tree was an asset to BTB.

Chapter Nine

    Derrick sat across from Naria in an exclusive restaurant on New York’s East River. As the candlelight danced across her face, Derrick looked deep into her mesmerizing eyes. He found a certain tranquility that had always eluded him. The fact that he was in her presence somehow transferred just enough of that peacefulness to make him yearn for more.
    â€œTree, this has been such a beautiful evening,” Naria commented with a smile.
    â€œNaria, it was my pleasure. I really enjoy your company.”
    The way she gazed into his eyes, it seemed as if she was trying to bore into his mind to judge his honesty
    â€œIs something wrong?” Derrick asked, noticing a sudden change in her facial features.
    â€œNo. There’s nothing really wrong. I was just wondering if I’d ever get the opportunity to learn your real name, because I’m dying to know,” she stated.
    Without thinking, Derrick blurted, “Trez Richards.” The lie rolled off his tongue so smoothly, he didn’t even know where it came from.
    â€œTrez. That’s a beautiful name. Do you mind if I call you Trez instead of Tree?”
    â€œAs long as you keep it between you and me,” he stated in a seductive tone.
    Leaning in closely, Naria licked her lips sexily."Anything we do will be between you and me. Now how about we head to a more comfortable setting where ‘you and I’ can get to know one another better?”
    Derrick tossed two Benjamin’s on the table, grabbed Naria’s hand, and led her from the ritzy restaurant. Just before they stepped outside, Derrick sarcastically asked, “A lot better?”
    Naria smiled and nodded. She allowed Derrick to lead the way.

    *****

    Derrick sat on the balcony of the condominium watching the water crash into the shore. The relaxing atmosphere allowed him to rehash the scene that he’d participated in just forty-eight hours before. After he’d successfully knocked Taz unconscious, they drove the man back to RJ’s drug house on Fulton Street, reuniting with Lil’ Roy, Shay, and the twins. Before leaving, RJ gave specific instructions that the unconscious, handcuffed man would suffer the most heinous of deaths.
    Derrick wanted to jump to the helpless man’s rescue, yet he knew it would only jeopardize the investigation. As he and RJ pulled off in RJ’s Mercedes, Derrick could only speculate what manner in which Taz would be murdered. The speculation was based more on his interest in the workings of the criminal mind than the effect the killing would have on his job. What amazed Derrick was that the deeper he became entrenched in the investigation, the more distant from the investigation he became. He was growing attached to RJ and Naria and becoming detached from Marvin and the agency.
    Suddenly, a set of soft hands made contact with his bare shoulders, bringing his mind to the present.
    Looking up into Naria’s beautiful face, Derrick noticed she’d traded her Dior Homme dress for his Hickey Freeman button up.
    He licked his lips in anticipation, guiding her around the chair to join him. She sat down alongside him. He could not only see the lust in her eyes. He also had a clear view of the satiny